A Tauranga teenager will soon be trading his hometown for France after signing a European deal.

In what is being described as the the ultimate validation of its YZ65 bLU cRU programme, Altherm JCR Yamaha is thrilled to announce one of its recent graduates, Levi Townley, has been signed by Yamaha Motor Europe and the MJC Yamaha Official EMX125 team.

The talented 14-year-old will soon be based in France with his family to compete in the 2025 EMX125 presented by FMF Racing Championship.

Townley is fresh off an incredible season on the international stage.

He captured the 85cc title at the 2024 FIM Junior Motocross World Championship in the Netherlands, in July.

Then he made a seamless transition to the YZ125 class, capping off his season with an impressive second-place finish at the YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale during the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations in early October.

Back on home soil, Townley clean swept the Junior 125cc class wins at last weekend’s MX Fest in Taupo, riding a Yamaha YZ125.

Altherm JCR Yamaha’s 125cc rider Levi Townley is heading to Europe to race for the MJC Yamaha Official EMX125 team. Photo: Yamaha Europe

For a boy who spent his childhood watching American and European motocross stars on television, the chance to follow in their footsteps was “pretty amazing.”

“I always dreamt about going over and racing in the United States and Europe and I’m only 14 and have been signed to go to Europe. It’s pretty crazy,” Townley said.

His motocross idols Liam Everts, Kay de Wolf and Jeffrey Herlings all came through the EMX scene, which helped fuel his future ambitions, Townley added.

He is working hard on his fitness in preparation for the season ahead and fits two gym sessions, two cardio workouts, two motorbike rides and usually a race at the weekend in and around his Year 10 commitments at Tauranga Boys' College.

Son of former MX2 World Champion and Yamaha New Zealand ambassador Ben Townley, this rising teen star has also been well prepared by his father, and fellow YZ65 founder Josh Coppins, for his first European Championship campaign.

The Altherm JCR Yamaha team is thrilled for the Townley family, who will all relocate to France in February to support Levi as he pursues his motocross career in Europe. Photo: CD Photography.

Coppins said although the European team signing is “super exciting” for Townley, he was not surprised.

“This has all been part of our plan since Ben [Townley] and I created the YZ65 programme back in 2018. Signing Levi and his younger brother Jaggar bolstered our pathway, which has been studded with many other Kiwi champions.”

“Our vision was to create the next world champion and we’ve ticked that box. It’s exciting for us on a national level and exciting for Yamaha as a brand globally, as it has benefited from some great champions that have come through the Altherm Yamaha JCR programme, under the guidance of Ben and me. Jay Wilson graduated into racing in Japan; Courtney Duncan went on from Yamaha to win four WMX Motocross World Championship titles; and Cole Davies is doing very well with a three-year contract in the United States.”

“Nothing is guaranteed in this sport, but I certainly know that Levi, and Jaggar to follow, have super bright futures. With their values and the support of the Townley family, I believe they will both be successful. We are only scratching the surface of what they could be capable of.”

Coppins describes the coming years as “very promising” not only for Yamaha but also New Zealand motocross in general.

“And also, for road racing with young Cormac Buchanan, who was part of that bLU cRU pathway.”

Townley is incredibly thankful for his father’s and Coppins’ input into his motocross career and acknowledged their forging of internationally successful pathways during their racing days.

“It’s very cool seeing everything they have achieved. Also having Josh [Yamaha Motor New Zealand Motorsport Manager] involved, I’m so grateful for everything he does for me and New Zealand sport in general.”

Townley joins a powerhouse line-up in the MJC Yamaha Official EMX125 team, consisting of Dutch sensation Dani Heitink, French rising star Mano Faure, and Belgian standout Jarne Bervoets. They will all be competing aboard GYTR-kitted YZ125s and are set for an action-packed, promising 2025 season.

Yamaha Motor Europe MX Racing Specialist Thorsten Lentink said the three European riders were relatively new to the EMX125 class in 2024, but they demonstrated impressive potential.

“Our primary goal was for them to learn, gain experience, and grow, and they achieved just that. While injuries set us back at times, their overall progress was very positive. We’re confident they’ll use what they learned in 2024 to chase top results in 2025.”

“Adding Levi Townley to the team is also very exciting. His win at the Junior Motocross World Championship on his YZ85 was special. We immediately saw his natural skill and potential and wanted to give him this opportunity to take the next step in his career with our Official EMX125 team.”

“We’d also like to thank Yamaha Australia/New Zealand for their support, as well as the dedication of his father, Ben Townley, and Josh Coppins in New Zealand, who have given Levi an excellent start to his career. We know the move to France will be a big step for Levi, but we’re confident he’s ready, and we’ll ensure he, along with Dani, Mano, and Jarne, have all the tools necessary to succeed,” Lentink said.

Levi Townley is a recent graduate of the YZ65 bLU cRU programme, which was created by Josh Coppins and Ben Townley to support Kiwi riders into success on the world stage. Photo: CD Photography

Coppins confirms that Townley will ride for the Altherm JCR Yamaha team at the Whakatane SummerX, Woodville GP and also in the first two rounds of the Yamaha New Zealand Motocross Championship, before he heads to Europe.

“We look forward to having Levi as part of our team before he spreads his wings and launches onto the EMX125 stage,” he said.

2024/25 Altherm JCR Yamaha contracted racing calendar:

26 & 27October 2024 – MX Fest (Taupo)

28 & 29 December 2024 – Summercross (Whakatane)
25 & 26 January 2025 – Woodville GP (Woodville)
15 February 2025 – R1 NZMX Nationals (Tauranga)

22 February 2025 – R2 NZMX Nationals (Rotorua)

8 March 2025 – R3 NZMX Nationals (Pukekohe)

16 March 2025 – R4 NZMX Nationals (Taupo)

2024/25 Altherm JCR Yamaha Activations Calendar:

18 to 20 October 2024 – bLUcRU Kids Camp (Rotorua)

22 to 24 November 2024 – bLUcRU Kids Camp (Waikato)

8 December 2024 – Yamaha Women’s Off-Road Ride Day (Rotorua)

17 to 19 January 2025 – bLUcRU Kids Camp (Hauturu, Waikato)

31 January to 2 February 2025 – bLUcRU Kids Camp (Waimumu, Southland)

21 to 23 March 2025  – bLUcRU Kids Camp (Rainbow Mountain, Rotorua)